Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-02-19

shall I do? Look for temporary en-
ployment? should like to take roll
day, but know OF nowhere to 60 Just
now.
Now for Constance:
1--WE have just come bone from
abroad" she writes, s.and are settling in
our new home, though it is wretched
time OF year. do want you SO much
to come and see me. Perhaps my reasons
are partly eel6sh, for we viii not see COM
pany yet, and am drsadfully dali and
lonely. but I know that viii be no draw
back to you"
She then goes on to say good desl
that is kind, and adds 10 postscript:
II said we were alone, but I forgot to
mention that an old friend, or rather ac-
quaintance, is with us whom dare say
you will remember in by-gone days
Mr.. BargilL We came upon him at
Balse, when Charley was dangerously Ill,
and his kindness I shall never forget. i
am SO sorry that I ever laughed at or
leased him, dear Ethel; he saved my
husbands life! Do come"
That is all. And what strange sup
plement to my meditations of the past
hour. How the old familiar names recall
the. old days. am at Barfeld again,
young and happy as of old! Constance's
invitation is tempting one. should
like to see her again IL her new home;
aud Mr.. Bsrgills I smile when I re-
member the valentines, and I think on
the whole I should like to see him again,
too! It is decided. will go- and sit
down and write to that effect.
| Three days later, at five o'clock on q
cold winters evening, I am driven up
the avenue at Beaintree, trying hard,
through the dusk and the drifting sleet,
to catch glimpse of my friends new
home. A double row of stately lime
trees on each side of the drive is all that
can see, and as we draw nearer I per
ceive fine old Eizabethan house near
~ covered with ivy and creepers. It
has been the home of the Braintrees for
many generations, ane has just descend
ed to Charley from an uncle.
A bright light stresmed forth when
the door was opened, and Constance
stood in the hall ready to receive me
with open arms. In second was in q
coy little room with bright fire, where
lay her husband, looking not much old
or, but pale and delicate from his recent
illness.
Constance led me to my room, and on
leaving me, said:
"We have just few friends coming
tonight, dear; you won't mind? I'll
send you my maid," and without wait
ing for an answer, she was gone.
did "rnind," but there was no help
for it. Constarc CO was always fond of So
ciety. I dressed myself as well as my
limited wardrobe would allow, and she
presently returned and escorted me to
the drawing room, where about fourteen
persons we're assembled; but among
them all not one face was familiar to me
save that of my host.
I quietly ensconced myself in win
dow recess, where I was partly hidden
by curtain. My eyes wandered for
moment rather anHously over the group
in vain hope that might discover Mr..
Bargill, but in vain. No one was known
to me there.
Dinner was announced. The party
paired off. As I sat wondering who my
partner was to be, Constance touched
the arm of portly looking man who
sat with his back to me, engaged in
earnest conversation. He rose at once,
and she led him up to me.
Gan old friend Ethel. Mr.. Bargill,
You remember Miss Vane?"'
Was it posslble?. Was the fne-look-
ing man before me the ''shy curate" of
former days? No need to ask if he re-
membered me. He gave start, and
colored visibly, when she uttered my
name, and then I saw plainly the resem-
blance which I had failed to detect at
first. He recognized ne at once, too.
saw that, and it was no small pleasure
to think that times ravages had not
altered me in his eyes, at least beyond
recognition.
went into the dining-room on his
arm, and after the first few sentences
our conversation never tagged. I then
discovered how in mind as well as in |
body he had developed and improved;
or. rather having gained in assurance |
and manliness, those qualities which I |
imagined he always had possessed were
suffered to come to the surface, while
that stiffness of manner which we had
called conceit, and which I now felt
sure had proceeded from shyness, had
vanished altogether.
When I returned to the drawing room,
I no longer felt myself alone in the COM
psny, talked indifferently to my next |
neighbor, hardly conscious who or what |
she might be, my eye meanwhile watch |
ing the door with anxiety, until at last |
the hum of voices outside told that the |
gentlemen were coming.
There was a vacant seat beside me. |
w n